Zurich / Davos, Switzerland | January 2026
Smart Cities Council (SCC) has announced its official participation at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026, marking a major milestone for the organization.
At SCC’s Welcome reception SCC Chair and President, Corey Gray, will present SCC’s 2026 global strategy and make several major announcements around regional expansion, team, member service innovation and partnerships.
For the first time, SCC will attend WEF in an official delegation capacity, positioning cities and communities at the centre of the global transformation agenda and shifting the focus from pilots and discussion to enablement, adoption, and measurable outcomes.
Under the theme “Enabling Cities and Communities for Transformation to Smart Outcomes,” SCC’s WEF 2026 program reflects the growing urgency facing cities and communities worldwide. Increasing complexity across governance, finance, technology, and social outcomes mean fragmented initiatives are no longer sufficient to deliver lasting impact.
“Cities and communities are under pressure to transform faster than ever before,” said Corey Gray, President and Chair of Smart Cities Council. “But innovation alone is not enough. Transformation requires coordinated governance, enabling finance, resilient infrastructure, and clear outcomes. SCC’s work at WEF 2026 is focused on making that transformation possible.”
A Framework for City Enablement
At WEF 2026, SCC will introduce its integrated transformation framework, supporting cities through four critical dimensions:
·Capability for Change – governance readiness, leadership, data stewardship, and digital sovereignty
·Capacity for Change – AI-ready infrastructure, institutional capability, and enabling finance models
·Adopting Transformative Technologies – AI and blockchain embedded as system enablers
·Rethinking Targets to SMART Outcomes – including Healthspan as a measurable indicator of long-term community wellbeing, resilience, and inclusion
This framework underpins SCC’s 2026 global programs, partnerships, and investment pathways.
SCC @ WEF 2026
SCC’s WEF 2026 engagement runs from 18–23 January, with curated events and meetings across Zurich, Davos, and Zug, designed to move from strategic alignment to real-world delivery.
Key engagements include:
·SCC WEF Welcome Reception and launch of SCC Switzerland
·Curated sessions and strategic meetings during WEF week
·A Healthspan and longevity roundtable
·An invitation-only Innovation & Investor Pitch Event focused on adoption and delivery
Switzerland as a Global Enablement Base
WEF 2026 also marks the positioning of Switzerland as SCC’s global enablement base, supporting leadership, governance, partnerships, and delivery across regions.
“As SCC launches its 2026 strategy at WEF, the message is clear,” added Mark Messow, SCC Global Advisory Board Chair. “Davos is where alignment begins. Delivery is what matters next.”
About Smart Cities Council
Smart Cities Council is a global network of cities, governments, technology leaders, investors, and solution providers dedicated to enabling city and community transformation through governance, finance, technology, and partnerships that deliver measurable outcomes.
Contact:
Karen Norden
Global Events Manager, Smart Cities Council
karen.norden@smartcitiescouncil.com
For more information on Smart Cities Council programs:
